Chapter 125 Chapter 125

Chapter 125 Chapter 125
Nobody argued with Coach Bennett not even Mike.

He looked as though he wanted to keep talking, as though the words had been trapped inside him for so long that stopping now almost hurt.

But exhaustion was beginning to win.

I could see it in the way his eyelids struggled to stay open and the way his shoulders drooped.

The way he absentmindedly rubbed his thumb over the label on the water bottle without even realizing it.

Coach Bennett noticed it too.

"Enough for tonight."

His voice was gentle, but it carried the same quiet authority it always had.

"Your body is asking for rest."

Mike opened his mouth to protest.

"I..."

Coach simply raised a hand.

"No."

The room fell silent again.

"You've spent months surviving."

He gave Mike a small, reassuring smile.

"You don't have to survive tonight."

"You only have to rest."

Something about those words seemed to reach Mike. His shoulders slowly relaxed.

"...Okay."

It was barely a whisper.

Coach Bennett looked around the room.

"Ryder."

"Yes, Coach?"

"I need you to help me with something."

Ryder straightened immediately.

"Of course."

"I don't want Mike going home tonight."

Mike frowned.

"Coach, I—"

Coach shook his head.

"You said yourself you haven't been home."

"You've barely eaten and barely slept. I don't even know what you're walking back into."

He folded his arms.

"So until we sort things out..."

"You're staying somewhere safe."

Mike looked uncomfortable.

"I don't want to inconvenience anyone."

Before Coach could answer, Mr. Harris let out a quiet scoff.

"Inconvenience?"

He looked genuinely offended.

"Young man..."

"When did caring for you become an inconvenience?"

Mike lowered his eyes immediately.

"I'm sorry."

Mr. Harris sighed softly before placing a hand on his shoulder.

"You're apologising far too much tonight."

A few players nodded in agreement.

Coach Bennett looked toward one of the assistant coaches.

"Could you call the guest house and see if one of the staff rooms is available for tonight?"

The assistant coach nodded.

"I'll do it now."

Coach turned back to Mike.

"You'll stay there."

"The nurse will check on you again in the morning."

"We'll contact your aunt."

"And we'll make sure your little brother knows you're safe."

The moment Coach mentioned his brother...

Mike's eyes widened.

"My brother..."

He sat up too quickly.

"I need to see him."

"You will."

Coach's reply came immediately.

"But not tonight."

Mike's breathing became uneven again.

"He probably thinks..."

Coach knelt in front of him once more.

"He knows you're alive."

Mike blinked.

"What?"

"We contacted your aunt the moment we confirmed it was you."

Coach smiled reassuringly.

"She knows."

"Tears immediately flooded Mike's eyes."

"And your brother?"

Coach nodded.

"She told him."

Mike covered his face with both hands. A broken sob escaped him.

"Oh, thank God..."

"I kept thinking...He must hate me."

"No."

Coach answered firmly.

"He doesn't."

The room remained quiet as Mike tried to steady himself.

It took several moments before he finally looked up again.

"...Thank you."

Coach simply nodded.

"No."

Mr. Harris smiled warmly.

"Save your thank-yous."

"We're going to need them after I make you eat a proper breakfast tomorrow."

That earned the first genuine laugh from almost everyone in the room.

Even Mike laughed. Though It was weak and short but real.

Mr. Harris pointed a finger at him.

"Oh, don't laugh."

"I'm serious."

"You've become nothing but bones."

Blake chuckled.

"I was thinking the same thing."

Mike looked down at himself before giving a sheepish smile.

"I guess..."

"I've lost a little weight."

"A little?"

One of the senior players laughed.

"Dude..."

"I could probably lift you with one arm now."

The room filled with soft laughter.
Just enough to loosen the heaviness that had settled over everyone.

Watching it unfold made something inside me ache.

This...

This was what Mike had missed. Not just the practices or the games but moments like this.

Being teased.

Being cared for.

Feeling like he belonged.

The nurse packed away the last of her supplies before walking over to Coach Bennett.

"I'd still like him properly examined tomorrow."

Coach nodded.

"So would I."

She looked at Mike kindly.

"You've got a few bruises, you're dehydrated, and you're exhausted."

"But..."

A small smile crossed her face.

"I think the best medicine tonight is sleep."

"I can do that."

Mike answered quietly.

Coach looked around the locker room.

"All right."

"You boys have had an emotional enough evening."

He smiled faintly.

"Go home."

There were no complaints. But nobody moved which coach noticed.

"What is it?"

One of the freshmen shuffled awkwardly.

"Coach..."

"Can we..."

He glanced nervously toward Mike.

"...say goodnight first?"

Coach's expression softened.

"Of course."

One after another...

Every player walked over. Some shook Mike's hand. Some gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

One quietly whispered,

"It's good to have you back."

Another smiled.

"We've still got your locker."

"You don't have to worry."

The freshman who had scored his first Regional Tournament goal hesitated before stepping forward.

"I don't really know what to say."

Mike smiled gently.

"You don't have to say anything."

The freshman nodded.

Then surprised everyone by pulling Mike into a quick hug.

"We missed you."

By the time the last player stepped away...

Mike's eyes were shining again. He looked around the room slowly.

"I don't deserve this."

Ryder, who had remained leaning against the lockers in silence all this time, finally pushed himself upright.

He walked over until he was standing directly in front of Mike.

For a long moment...Neither of them spoke.

The room instinctively grew quiet again. Ryder took a slow breath.

"What happened to you..."

His voice was calm.

"...should never have happened."

Mike lowered his head.

"I'm sorry."

Ryder nodded once.

"I know."

Another silence settled between them.
Then Ryder continued.

"What happened between us..."

He glanced briefly at me before looking back at Mike.

"...we're going to talk about it."

Mike closed his eyes.

"I know."

"I'm not pretending it didn't happen."

His voice shook.

"I won't run from it anymore."

Ryder studied him for another moment.

Then, very gently, he rested a hand on Mike's shoulder.

"But not tonight."

Mike looked up. His eyes filled instantly.

"Tonight..."

Ryder's expression softened.

"...I'm just glad you're alive."

The words broke whatever fragile composure Mike had managed to rebuild.

Fresh tears rolled down his face.

He nodded over and over again, unable to speak.

Standing a few feet away, I felt my own eyes sting.

Because that was Ryder.

He hadn't forgotten or forgiven.

Not yet.

But he'd chosen compassion before confrontation.

And somehow...

That made me respect him even more.

As we finally began leaving the locker room, I glanced back one last time.

Coach Bennett was helping Mike to his feet.

Mr. Harris had one hand resting warmly on his back.
I smiled.